Rejecting Hope (Old Copy)

Chapter Forty Four - "Don't Let Go."

    (Hope)

       "Can you believe it!? It worked! It actually worked!" I hear her beloved voice screech with joy as I hear the pitter patter of her steps coming fast from behind me and suddenly in the moment that I turn around she jumps upon me and I catch her by her waist and as I hold her close, I can feel myself start laughing as she just wraps her arms around my neck and her legs around my waist. She plants little kisses all across my face and up and down my neck.

       "Aria! Ar ar! Arie! Calm down! Calm down!" I can't help but to laugh harder and then suddenly she's looking me right in the eyes. "Alright then, go ahead, tell me what happened." I smile and she slides off of me and back upon the ground. "Guess who's dating!" I squint at her in confusion, even though I can pretty much guess the obvious answer, I feel as if it'd be no fun if I'd just let her answer me without a little bit of teasing. I mean... how long will it be till I see her in such a blissful state like this ever again? Also seeing her this happy, this energetic... it's a rare beauty upon her and I wish instantly that it could last forever.

     "Oh come on dummy, isn't it obvious!" She laughs slapping my chest and instantly my mind hits an old memory. This Aria before me reminds me of the one I knew back before the dark days of when it had all began. I imagine those two little kids sitting beneath that tree and I remember how the girl would playfully slap the little boy's chest. "Oh come on dummy! Isn't it obvious!" She would laugh and next thing I know we'd be hugging each other in a warm embrace.

             And so... that's exactly what I do. I wrap my arms around her and let my face nest into her shoulder as I breath her in. "Thank you..." I whisper and at first she is hesitant, but soon enough she hugs me back and I've never been so happy to have her actually accept me back for once. I felt as if I was in a dream just waiting to wake up. "What for?" She whispers... and suddenly I smile, my eyes crinkling at the sides as I shine some teeth.

                                  "For letting me see this side of you... I've missed it." 

         Letting go, I had hated it. But unfortunately moments cannot last forever no matter how much you wish for them to do so. For it just cannot be and that is the unfortunate truth. "So go ahead exclaim your little secret."

        "Oh yeah!" She jumps up and down like a little five year old yet again. "Jack and Lacey are dating! Isn't that so sweet!"

       "Ha ha, and how did this happen exactly!"

     "Well, at the Water Park, they somehow started talking, well more like fighting and then suddenly he kissed her and it was like BAM! Instant love connection and so now they're dating." I couldn't help it, the way her words had rushed together with no spaces in between, how cute she was acting as if she were to be a small energetic dog. I couldn't help but to just smile at her in the beauty of being simply who she is. "You do understand that I have no idea of what you just said right?" Suddenly she pouts and slaps my chest, "Hope!"

           I just shake my head, "I'm joking sweetheart! Joking. Anyways, we haven't been on a date in a while. So, since the school day is over and you're available. Would you like to go and have some ice cream with me, where we can talk all about your exciting day?"

          

               Her smile widens even more, "Yes! Come on let's go!"

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           Humans are creatures of habit, that is the first thought that erupts into my mind the minute I sit down with my Aria in the same booth that we always do. The waitress is about to come along and take her orders and I suspect that this time Aria would get the mint or chocolate chip since last time she had had the strawberry. However she surprises me, for the minute she grants her order... she orders something completely different and new altogether. She orders for some pumpkin ice cream, I tilt my head in curiosity at her sudden change in habits. The waiter grabs our menu's and leaves the table.